A First-Rate Chardonnay From Italy

The grapes from Castello della Sala are produced in vineyards located at altitudes between 660 – 1325 feet above sea level. This region is ideal for the production of cool climate grapes for white wines and Pinot Noir. Located approximately ten miles from the city of Orvieto, the estate was acquired by Marchesi Antinori in 1940. Antinori is an innovative and highly respected wine making family that can trace its history back to 1385. The first Chardonnay Castello della Sala was produced from grapes harvested in 1994.

The 2011 Antinori Castello della Sala Chardonnay Bramìto del Cervo is a stunner. Following fermentation, part of the wine was given a five-month period of oak aging, while the other part was aged in stainless steel tanks. The blending of the two portions produced an elegantly complex wine with delicate traces of oak perfectly balanced by a crisp lemony acidity and 13% alcohol. On the palate, you quickly pick up wonderfully fresh notes of green apple, peach, and honey.

If you’re seeking a respite from those heavy, over-oaked California Chardonnays, this is definitely a wine that is eminently quaffable for all occasions and perfectly matched with a variety of cuisines. And priced around $20.00, it is also a relative bargain.